Composition for biocontrol of wild buckwheat

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with a novel bioherbicide and its use alone or in compositions, to control the growth of Polygonum convolvulus in agricultural crops such as cereals and other cultivated crops. The present invention is also concerned with a synergistic composition of the novel bioherbicide and a chemical herbicide. Specifically, the new fungus is Phoma sp. ATCC 20982.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for controlling growth of Polygonum convolvulus weeds in agricultural crops which method comprises applying to said weeds or to the locus of said weeds an effective amount of the fungus Phoma sp. having the culture deposit No. ATCC 20982, in combination with a chemical herbicide selected from the group consisting of dicamba and MCPA, to effect and produce typical lesions in said weeds so as to inhibit the growth of or kill said weeds. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein the chemical herbicide is dicamba. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, wherein the chemical herbicide is MCPA. 
     
     
       4. A composition for controlling growth of Polygonum convolvulus weeds in agricultural crops, comprising an effective amount of the fungus Phoma sp. having the culture deposit No. ATCC 20982, and a chemical herbicide selected from the group consisting of dicamba and MCPA, in association with an agricultural carrier. 
     
     
       5. A composition according to claim 4, wherein the concentration of the fungus is from about 10 3  to 10 7  spores/ml of carrier. 
     
     
       6. A composition according to claim 4, wherein the chemical herbicide is dicamba. 
     
     
       7. A composition according to claim 4, wherein the chemical herbicide is MCPA.